COMMUNITY CALENDAR Sept. 20

Tuesday

Sep 19, 2017 at 10:00 AM

All area codes are 850 unless noted.

Destin City Hall

All City Council meetings, workshops, executive sessions and CRA Board meetings are held at the City Hall Annex, 4100 Indian Bayou Trail. All other board and committee meetings are held at City Hall, 4200 Indian Bayou Trail.

•Town Center CRA-AC, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 20

• Local Planning Agency, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 21

• Harbor Board & Waterways Board, 5 p.m. Sept. 25

• City Council Workshop, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 25 in Annex

• Environmental/Parks & Recreation /Tree Board, 4 p.m. Sept. 26

• Special Magistrate Hearing, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 27

Gardener's presentation

Okaloosa County Master Gardener Dave Gordon will present "Carnivorous Plants of Florida's Pitcher Plant Savannas" at 10 a.m. Sept. 20 at the County Annex Building, 127 Hollywood Blvd. in Fort Walton Beach. This presentation will focus on the dos and don'ts of having pitcher plants in your landscape. Call 689-5850 to reserve your seat.

SHRM

The Society for Human Resource Management of the Emerald Coast will meet at 7:15 a.m. Sept. 20 at CareerSource Okaloosa Walton, 409 Racetrack Road NE in Fort Walton Beach. Guest speaker will be Martha Bryson, HR practitioner for 20+ years. Cost is $15/members and $20/non-members. Register by Sept. 18 at www.SHRM-EmeraldCoast.org.

ECTC Fundraiser

Emerald Coast Theatre Company will hold a fundraiser for Darla Briganti, ECTC’s lead educational programming instructor. Visit GoFundMe.com and search for “Darla-family-fund” and link to it from ECTC’s Facebook page. ECTC established the campaign to help her with medical bills and living expenses during the difficult time when her husband was ill and passed away.

OneBlood will host a blood drive for Texas from 12-6 p.m. Sept. 22 at Best Buy, 34940 Emerald Coast Parkway, Ste. 150 in Destin. Generally healthy people age 16 or older who weigh at least 110 pounds can donate blood. Photo ID is required. To make appointment, visit oneblood.org/donorcenters.

Panhellenic

Fort Walton Beach Panhellenic will meet for lunch at 11:05 a.m. Sept. 23 at Ali's Bistro, 171 Brooks Street in Fort Walton Beach. Members are asked to "Bring a Sister" from their respective collegiate sorority and news of recent "pledges" to share with the members. Make reservation by Sept. 20 at 862-3014 or 862-0327.

A workshop to assist students in Okaloosa County High Schools who will take the Oct. 7 SAT, Oct. 28 ACT and Nov. 4 SAT will be held from 2-5 p.m. Oct. 2-3, 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 9 and 2-5 p.m. Oct. 10 in the Media Center at Fort Walton Beach High School. Times at Niceville High School are 2-5 p.m. Oct. 4-5, 1:30-4:30 p.m. Oct. 9 and 2-5 p.m. Oct. 12. All materials, snacks and drinks are furnished. Students need to bring calculators. Registration deadline is Sept. 26. For information, contact Alice Hart at 615-585-2401, email Amhart1966@aol.com or contact your high school guidance department.

Voter Registration Day

Voters may register, update their address, request a replacement Voter Information Card, update their name/signature or change their party affiliation from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 26 at Destin Walmart. Visit www.govote-okaloosa.com or call 689-5600 or 651-7272.

Dog-Harmony

Paws, Pearls and Prosecco, a trunk show to benefit nonprofit Dog-Harmony with a silent auction, will be held from 5-8 p.m. Sept. 27 at Bijoux De Mer Fine Jewelry, 4495 Furling Lane, Suite 170, in Destin. Call 376-4190.

The Andrew Weathers Memorial Foundation will host its annual fundraising run at 8 a.m. Sept. 30 at The Crab Trap in Destin. This year’s run will include a beach 5k as well as a fun run and obstacle course for kids. The after party and silent auction will follow the timed run and includes drinks and The Crab Trap’s signature jambalaya. Registration is $45/runner. The 2017 “Never Forget Run” will begin with an Honor and Remember Ceremony, offering a way for the community to pay respects to the Special Forces soldiers who have given their life for our country including Andrew, who gave his life for our freedom on Sept. 30, 2014. American flags will be offered to runners to wave as they run the beaches of the Emerald Coast.

MUG

The Mac Users Group will meet at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 2 in the NWFSC Student Services Center, Room 132. “Mac Keyboard Shortcuts and Startup Key Functions” will be presented by Matthew Pace. For more information call 862-3327 or email jeancdutton@mac.com

Audubon Society

The Choctawhatchee Audubon Society will meet at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 5 in Room 130 of Bldg 400 at NWFSC, Niceville campus. “Water and Air Quality: A Challenge in Florida” will be presented by Eric Prince. Admission is free and open to the public. Call 225-252-2760 for more information.

• Oct. 7: Join local birders in a walk through Veterans Park on Okaloosa Island led by Malcolm Swan, videographer and expert birder, to see herons, raptors and migrants. Meet at the NE corner of the Convention Center parking lot at 7:30 a.m. Wear long pants, closed toe shoes and a hat. Call 210-343-9082 for additional information.

• Oct. 28: See ducks, herons, raptors and migrants in a walk through the FWB landfill and holding ponds led by Malcolm Swan. Meet at Pepitos, 1313 Lewis Turner Blvd., at 7:30 a.m. Wear closed toed shoes, a hat and long pants. Call 210-343-9082 for additional information.

DES Spirit Nights

LuLu’s in Destin will host Spirit Night for Destin Elementary from 5-8 p.m. Oct. 9 (the second Monday of each month through April). Ten percent of food and drink sales will be donated to the Destin Elementary PTO. LuLu's is at the foot of the Mid-Bay Bridge.

Food for Thought

A free educational session will be held at noon Oct. 25 in the Twin Cities Hospital. Whitney Temple, will discuss “Awareness and Prevention of Diabetes.” Attendees may bring a brown bag lunch. RSVP at HealthyOkaloosa5210@flhealth.gov.

Camp for adult cancer patients

Adults who have been diagnosed with cancer are encouraged to register now for an upcoming Sacred Heart Health System program that offers support, encouragement and renewal. Camp Bluebird, a retreat experience for people coping with cancer, is scheduled for Oct. 25-27 at Sacred Heart’s Miracle Camp in Escambia County. Activities include arts and crafts, pampering, education, optional sharing sessions, entertainment and more. Visit www.campbluebirdfl.com or call 698-2202.

Take-A-Kid Fishing Day

The 23rd annual Take-A-Kid Fishing Day will be held Nov. 5. Harbor Docks will treat 350 underprivileged children to a day of fishing on local charter boats. Through the efforts and generosity of volunteers, boat captains and crews, children and their chaperones will be treated to breakfast, a day of fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and a fish fry. Each child will take home a rod and reel and a T-shirt.

Presentation at Destin Library

The Friends Guild of the Destin Library will host a presentation by Richard Barlow Adams, “West Point on the Eve of the Civil War,” at 2 p.m. Nov. 14 at the library. This program is free and open to the public. Call 837-8572.

Tai Chi Class

The Destin Library will offer one-hour Tai Chi classes with Barbara Rezmer, a certified Tai Chi for Health instructor, Monday mornings at 9 a.m. The cost is $5/session. Enrollment is limited to 12 participants with registrations (on a first-come first-served basis) accepted by phone or in person. Call 837-8572.

Caregiver Support Group

Covenant Alzheimer’s Care support group for those caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or a dementia-related illness is held at 5:30 p.m. the first Thursday of every month at Brookdale Fort Walton Beach, 233 Carmel Ave. Call 864-4600.

Make-and-Take classes

The Destin Library has a series of free how-to workshops for ages 18 and up that focus on practical projects and skills you might not have learned in school. Workshop will be held the last Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided. No registration. Call 837-8572 or email mfontaine@cityofdesitn.com.

Code Club

The Destin Library's Code Club for children in fifth through eighth grades will be divided into two sections, web design and game design. Meetings will be held from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Tuesdays (web design) and Fridays (game design). Registration is required to participate, and will be capped at 18 students. Register at http://www.cityofdestin.com/forms.aspx?FID=143.

Kiwanis Club of Destin

The Kiwanis Club of Destin meets every Thursday at 8 a.m. at the Destin Methodist Church Life Center on Beach Drive in Destin. The public is invited to attend the club’s weekly meetings.

Flotilla 1-4 USCG Auxiliary meets at 8 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month at Coast Guard Station Destin on Okaloosa Island. Anyone wishing to become a member is welcome to attend. Prior military duty is not required. Call 865-9130 or email www.flotilla14.info.

Bereavement Support Group

Share and learn more about the grief journey you are enduring with an Emerald Coast Hospice bereavement group at 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the Destin Library. Groups are free and ongoing.

Grand Boulevard Farmers’ Market

The market will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday in Grand Park in Miramar Beach between Cantina Laredo and Tommy Bahama’s. Vendors will offer locally sourced food-based items including produce, eggs, milk, butter, grass-fed beef, chicken, lamb and pork, honey, pickled vegetables and gourmet jams.

30A Farmers’ Market

This community event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays in Town Center in Rosemary Beach features fresh vegetables, fruits, eggs, honey, cheese and more. Market is held on Sundays from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Recreation and fitness activities at Destin Life Center at Destin United Methodist Church, 200 Beach Drive, are from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Closed Sunday. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday visit the Soul Café for lunch. Call ahead for dine in or pick up. For information, call the DLC at 837-2021.

All activities are at the Destin Community Center, unless noted. Call 654-5184 or email recreation@cityofdestin.com for information and to register. Persons with disabilities who require assistance are asked to notify the center 48 hours in advance.

‒ Alzheimer's/Dementia Support Group: From 3-4 p.m. first Wednesday of the month at the Destin Senior Center in Buck Destin Park, 724 Legion Drive. This support group is free to the public. It is sponsored by Emerald Coast Hospice. Materials are provided by the Alzheimer's Association. This support group can be for family members and care providers in helping to deal with Alzheimer's and Dementia. Call 654-5184 to make reservation.

‒ Capoeria: Class in the Brazilian martial art that combines the elements of dance, acrobatics and music will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m. for all ages.

‒ Dodgeball: From 6-8 p.m. Thursdays for children ages 8 to 14. Fee is $3/non-residents and $2/residents. A waiver will be required for your child.

‒ Game Room: Open to children age 10 and older from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday. Basketball/volleyball court, ping pong/foosball/air hockey/pool tables

‒ Grief Support and Education: At 3 p.m. the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month at the Destin Senior Center in Buck Destin Park, 724 Legion Drive. These sessions are facilitated by Emerald Coast Hospice's Bereavement Coordinator, Christopher Keown, and are free to the public. Anyone dealing with grief, assisting someone in their grief or curious about the experience, is welcome to join in.

‒ Senior Art Lessons: The Destin Senior Center at Buck Destin Park, 724 Legion Drive, offers six-week sessions for Seniors (50 years and older). The current lessons began Oct. 6 with three weeks of pen and ink, then three weeks of acrylics. Fees are $20/non-Destin residents and $15/residents. Cost includes materials.

• Senior Book Club: The Destin Senior Members meet at 10 a.m. the 2nd Wednesday of the month at the Destin Library, 150 Sibert Ave.

‒ Senior Drop-In Hours: The Destin Senior Center at Buck Destin Park, 724 Legion Drive, offers senior drop-in hours from 9 a.m. to noon every Tuesday and Thursday for Seniors (50 years and older) to meet and enjoy each other's company, participate in games such as Mexican Train Dominoes, Scrabble, cards, etc.

• Senior Walking Club: The Destin Senior Members walk around the Destin Community Center’s gymnasium from 8-9 a.m. Monday-Friday. All of the miles that you walk will be added to our “team map” as we travel from one region to the next.

The Seniors of Destin meet the fourth Friday of the month for a covered dish and to celebrate all birthdays for the month. The program is sponsored by the city of Destin and Gentiva Home Health. Each month has a featured guest speaker that pertains to senior living. Call 685-5310.

Betterment Alliance

The Main Street Betterment Alliance meets at 6 p.m. Tuesdays at the American Legion, 311 Main Street. Call 837-3818.

Destin Business Builders

Destin Business Builders Networking group meets from 7:15-8:45 a.m. every Wednesday at the Destin United Methodist Life Center. Call 651-1300 ext. 13.

Food Buying Club

A small group interested in eating healthy and purchasing smart meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays at 125 Scottsdale Court in Mary Esther. On the second Tuesday, the group meets at Fountain Square in downtown Fort Walton Beach for the Growing Local film series. Call 863-4040.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.